Lessons Learned from Our Pets

Working from home today is a mixed bag. Yes, I get to work in my pajamas but it is a little case of the flu that put me here. Yay and then boo. It seems like much of life is handed to you in that way, a bit of a give and take, but I plan to make lemonade out of these lemons. As I scan my house for blog worthy inspiration, my eyes fall as they often do, to my dog. As usual she is curled up in a state of complete bliss. Relaxation is never far from reach when you are a pampered pet. What we need to do is to learn from our furry friends and hone our relaxation skills. Thanks to the internet I have found two relaxation methods that can be easily utilized and may help to bring creature comforts into an otherwise hectic and human sort of day.

The first is an exercise on focusing. I could be done at home before work, in the car while parked or in your office between appointments. Select a small personal object that you like a great deal. It might be a jeweled pin or a simple flower from your garden. Focus all your attention on this object as you inhale and exhale slowly and deeply for one to two minutes. While you are doing this exercise, try not to let any other thoughts or feelings enter your mind. If they do, just return your attention to the object. At the end of this exercise you will probably feel more peaceful and calmer. Any tension or nervousness that you were feeling upon starting the exercise should be diminished.

The second is a meditation exercise that is probably best done at home but may make a profoundly positive impact on your day.
• Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
• Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Let your breathing be slow and relaxed.
• Focus all your attention on your breathing. Notice the movement of your chest and abdomen in and out.
• Block out all other thoughts, feelings, and sensations. If you feel your attention wandering, bring it back to your breathing.
• As you inhale, say the word "peace" to yourself, and as you exhale, say the word "calm." Draw out the pronunciation of the word so that it lasts for the entire breath. The word "peace" sounds like p-e-e-a-a-a-c-c-c-e-e-e. The word "calm" sounds like: c-a-a-a-l-l-l-l-m-m-m. Repeating these words as you breathe will help you to concentrate.
• Continue this exercise until you feel very relaxed.

Of course everything takes practice so don't feel discouraged if it takes a while to quiet the to do lists from marching across your conscious mind. My dog, for example, has been practicing steadily for the last nine years, but she seems to have perfected. Maybe there is hope for us as well.


Meditation techniques excerpted from The Menopause Self Help Book by © Susan M. Lark M.D.